Joggers should be banned from paths and pavements

[BalancedIndividual]

As a car driver I find that the occasional cyclist breaks highway codes, cycles dangerously, or cycles without care and consideration. Key word being occasional, so no biggie. Just like how the occasional car diver is a .

But as a pedestrian going for a stroll in the park, the number of rude, selfish, careless and aggressive joggers i've seen is ridiculous high.

I see a jogger coming towards me, I walk to the side/edge of the path, but joggers always decide to keep running straight down the middle....

Similar to the above, joggers not keep a safe distance, and actually brushing past me.

And lastly, the worst offenders, joggers running side by side taking up the whole path, coming towards me, and giving me looks as if im supposed to jump out the way and off the path. ***

I honestly think legislation should be brought in to ban jogging on paths and pavements. Restricting joggers to grassland/cross country, outdoor tracks, private land, and the gym. The same way that cycling isnt permitted on pavements.

AIBU?

Oh I think we’ve found the jogger who lives near OP. @JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows - no people should not have to let go of their children’s hand so you can run past. Why does that even need to be said to you? Can we pass a law just banning you from jogging on pavements?

@JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows

And as a runner, I find pedestrians who can't bear to break from the side of their beloved partner or children for a nanosecond to let me pass when there's no other space, much worse and FAR more common. Yes I just break through them. No I'm not sorry.

This is so accurate.

I do kind of see your point. Joggers and runners in the centre of paths are also a big problem near me too. As a tall, strong and heavy woman, I have taken to just ignoring them. I'm not fussed if someone crashes into me, most people would make me stumble, but the jogger go flying; an occasional person would hurt me more than themselves (but they would still also be injured). It helps that my natural expression is nasty and I look a world away from middle class. I do the same with bikes, but more dependant on the speed they are going. I am done moving out of every single person's way. I will swerve if needed for age, disability, push chair etc but not if someone just feels their right of way is more important than mine - they can shift their own arse or crash into me. Obviously I don't get in the way deliberately and I always ensure there is space for others on paths, but no leaping out of anyone's way.

This policy has only ended in two people knocking into me so far. They tried being pissed off, but I was much better at it than them...

I don't think jogging should be banned, but the joggers around my area could be a hell of a lot more considerate to the rest of the people also using the paths and pavements.

The joggers have as much right to suggest that people like you be removed from their paths, but their opinion would matter as little as yours.

This is strange op because your experience as a walker is mine as a jogger.

Just this morning 3 men walking a dog (I was behind them) taking up the ENTIRE pathway, nowhere for me to go as bushes on either side.

Between the walkers (young and old), the dog walkers, the runners, the cyclists, the kids on various wheels should we not all be more tolerant of each other???

@Happymum12345

I am a jogger and always get out of peoples way. It drives me mad when other joggers don't.

@MRex

Yea, there is 1 proper path that I know of (it runs nearer to the main road) / nearer the tram stop, and you can walk all the way to farmlands and the park.

If youre willing to go through a thicket of trees, there are 1 or 2 spots that you can walk through the centre of the farmlands and into Beddington park as well.

I have just come back from a run. The only other runner I saw was being courteous. However four drivers went past me too fast for the country lane it was and pedestrians who don't know what side they are supposed to go on.

Cyclists can be a PITA as they are silent. Just a call of morning or hello as they approach from behind would be appreciated.

@Sliders

I'm a runner and the amount of walkers who don't understand what side of the road they should be walking on is astonishing. (I live in the countryside not many pavements). I move in to the road always, no one says thank you, even when they are on the wrong side. Most runners I know are the ones who are considerate. The families walking 4 abreast and not moving over are the problem.

Absolutely. I go out of my way to be polite to walkers. I cant run during the day very often so have to go on paths in the dark. Yes, there are arseholes. As a runner, I've been knocked by the two abreast arrogant 30 somethings chatting away, but generally we are a pleasant bunch. FFS

@Herja

I do kind of see your point. Joggers and runners in the centre of paths are also a big problem near me too. As a tall, strong and heavy woman, I have taken to just ignoring them. I'm not fussed if someone crashes into me, most people would make me stumble, but the jogger go flying; an occasional person would hurt me more than themselves (but they would still also be injured). It helps that my natural expression is nasty and I look a world away from middle class. I do the same with bikes, but more dependant on the speed they are going. I am done moving out of every single person's way. I will swerve if needed for age, disability, push chair etc but not if someone just feels their right of way is more important than mine - they can shift their own arse or crash into me. Obviously I don't get in the way deliberately and I always ensure there is space for others on paths, but no leaping out of anyone's way.

This policy has only ended in two people knocking into me so far. They tried being pissed off, but I was much better at it than them...

I don't think jogging should be banned, but the joggers around my area could be a hell of a lot more considerate to the rest of the people also using the paths and pavements.

I am trying to imagine this being policed. It would be like the school corridors! “Wing, no running on the pavements”

Like a pp, what happens if you are late for an appointment? Is a fast walk ok?

I reckon we should install speed cameras in parks. Can we agree what the speed difference is between speed walking and running?

Oh and I’m a runner not a jogger

On a serious note, surely your issue is with inconsiderate behaviour? We can ban that.

Not everyone can afford or have easy access to a gym.

So many people are too happy to ban anything they don't like.

I take it you've crossed jogging off your list of ways to keep fit? Shame, as it is cheap and effective.

When I'm jogging I'm more curious about people who are standing in the middle of the pavement - outside a baker's or something. They will look up and see me coming from a distance, watch me gradually jogging towards them, but not think to make space on the pavement. Same with couples walking along together side by side. Every time I go jogging I will at several points have to go into the road to get past. If I was walking they'd make space. Not sure if it is because I'm approaching slightly faster so they have less time to work it out, or if it is just because joggers are not seen as a fellow, equal pavement user: you're a jogger, not a person?

God there's some dickheads on MN. I mean seriously 🙄

@JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows

And as a runner, I find pedestrians who can't bear to break from the side of their beloved partner or children for a nanosecond to let me pass when there's no other space, much worse and FAR more common. Yes I just break through them. No I'm not sorry.

Wow...this is the exactly the sort of behavior /attitude i come across and don't appreciate.

You see, when I used to jog, I always used to get off the pavement to go around people.

I really think there should be a pavement sharing protocol. Walk on the right, cycle/run on the left. The same as for roads without a footway. I've half a mind to start a petition.

It's the heavy breathing that gets me, if they could just hold their breath until they got home I wouldn't mind them nearly as much.

I'm kidding of course, kind of.

ravenmum, I find being a pedestrian a good way of keeping fit. I walk to places. I don't mind joggers as long as they get out my way, but I don't move for them.

@Herja

I do kind of see your point. Joggers and runners in the centre of paths are also a big problem near me too. As a tall, strong and heavy woman, I have taken to just ignoring them. I'm not fussed if someone crashes into me, most people would make me stumble, but the jogger go flying; an occasional person would hurt me more than themselves (but they would still also be injured). It helps that my natural expression is nasty and I look a world away from middle class. I do the same with bikes, but more dependant on the speed they are going. I am done moving out of every single person's way. I will swerve if needed for age, disability, push chair etc but not if someone just feels their right of way is more important than mine - they can shift their own arse or crash into me. Obviously I don't get in the way deliberately and I always ensure there is space for others on paths, but no leaping out of anyone's way.

This policy has only ended in two people knocking into me so far. They tried being pissed off, but I was much better at it than them...

I don't think jogging should be banned, but the joggers around my area could be a hell of a lot more considerate to the rest of the people also using the paths and pavements.

Glad you see where im coming from, and that you're standing up to their bad behaviour.

Id be more tempted to do similar if alone, but with my daughter I dont want to see her get run over /hurt. Thats what annoys me even more, as the joggers can see I usually have a toddler with me.

During a pandemic, definitely.

My 93 year old Gran lives on one side of a park and her friend on the other, nearly every day she walks across to the park to sit in her friends garden for a little natter. Nearly every time she does this she’s constantly dodging runners, she says they run very close huffing and puffing! Very few will move off the path for her meaning if she’s lucky enough to see one coming it’s down to her to move, a few times she’s had to jump out of the way quickly!! She’s 93, where’s the respect for elderly! I was brought up to always give to an elderly person walking towards me, where have these decent manners gone!

When I walk as a pedestrian or run , there are always people who keep in the middle of the pavement , don’t go to one side , leaving me to side step into driveways or into the road if running.

Some of these people don’t smile or say thank you - they are just rude. No one owns the pavement, walkers or runners. I just think - whatever!!

Oh good another runner bashing thread...

@MargaretThursday haha your post reminded me, once a woman called me a 'stupid fucking bitch' because I was looking at directions on my phone. I wasnt in her way, or anywhere near her or anyone else.